4.3826 reviewsPrice
$13 - $20/night
Booking
Walk-in Only
Sites
14 campsites
Season
Open 5/15 - 9/15 May...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
Price
$13 - $20/night
Booking
Walk-in Only
Sites
14 campsites
Season
Open 5/15 - 9/15 May...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
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Carmel Campground, Manila, UT 84046, USA
Fall campers chasing the September sweet spot: cottonwoods turning gold, Kokanee salmon spawning in the creek, trout fishing picking up on Flaming Gorge Reservoir, and boat traffic thinned out. At $20 a night with friendly hosts keeping the vault toilets clean, it punches above i
No potable water means hauling every drop yourself, which makes longer stays a real logistical burden. Low-clearance vehicles also take a beating on the access road, and with no reservations accepted, arriving on a summer weekend without a backup plan is a gamble.
Reference information about Carmel Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →
<p>This developed campground has interpretive displays which help you appreciate the magic of the surrounding area.</p><p><strong>Nearby Activities:</strong> Sheep Canyon Geological Area, just west of the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, features stunning scenic panoramas, framed by colorfully-striated cliffs. </p>
The elevation is 6,200 ft. The campground stretches out between Sheep Creek Scenic Byway and Sheep Creek, below Navajo cliffs, in a pleasant mixture of cottonwood, spruce, and tall grass. The campground is convenient to Sheep Creek Bay of the Flaming Gorge Reservoir with its boat ramp and water activities. Big Springs and Sheep Creek Cave are nearby; contact the Flaming Gorge Ashley National Forest 40 Ranger District Office for permission to explore. This campground is 1 of 18 in the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area (NRA). Interpretive programs are provided at different locations during the summer; check the campground fee station bulletin board for schedule. The NRA has numerous "boat-in" camps along the Green River and the reservoir's shoreline; check with the Flaming Gorge Ranger District Office or visitor center for more details to include rafting outfitters. Marinas and lodges in the area offer a wide range of services from mountain bike rental to horseback trail rides, groceries to restaurants, and raft and boat rentals to fishing guides and bait. The lodges, Flaming Gorge Lodge, Red Canyon Lodge, and Spirit Lake Lodge, are scattered around the NRA. Firewood is generally available for a fee from either the campground host or lodges. Possible day trips are: Dinosaur National Monument, Sheep Creek Geological Loop, Swett Ranch (living history exhibit), Ute Fire Lookout Tower, Flaming Gorge Dam and Spillway (including the visitor center), float trips down the Green River, Red Canyon Visitor Center, and more.
Open May 13 through September 17 - weather dependent
Flaming Gorge Reservoir is 42,000 acres. Depending on demand, the level will fluctuate. Rafting is possible on the Green River. Swimming is available at Firehole campground. Hiking: There are some 220 miles of trails in the Flaming Gorge NRA. A few are: Bear Canyon/Bootleg #1156 (foot, horse & mountain bike) - 1.5 miles Canyon Rim #1001 (foot, horse & mountain bike) - 4 miles Little Hole Trail #1006 (foot) - 7.2 miles Old Carter Military #1016 (foot, horse, mountain bike, & ATV) - 7 miles Swett Ranch #1157 (foot, horse & mountain bike) - 3 miles Skull Creek (Canyon Rim) #1162 (foot & horse) - 1 mile Tamarack Lake #1024 (foot & horse) - 4 miles Fishing: In the Flaming Gorge Reservoir: Mackinaw (Lake trout), Utah Chub, Rainbow trout, Channel catfish, and smallmouth base In the Green River: Rainbow and Brown trout
Flaming Gorge Reservoir is 42,000 acres. Depending on demand, the level will fluctuate. Rafting is possible on the Green River. Swimming is available at Firehole campground.
The parking aprons are dirt as is the interior road which is rough. RV waste stations are available in the Flaming Gorge NRA at the following Forest Service campgrounds: Firehole, Antelope Flat, Cedar Springs/Deer Run, Firefighters Memorial and Lucerne Valley.
In Manila, UT, at the intersection of State Rt. 43 (Main St.) and State Rt. 44, take Rt. 44 for 5.8 miles to Sheep Creek Geological Loop sign (Forest Rt. 218/County Rt. 1370). Turn right after the sign onto Rts. 218/1370 and go 0.7 miles to Carmel Picnic Grounds sign. Turn right into the campground.
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Early fall is the sweet spot here. September mornings drop into the 30s and 40s, afternoons settle in the 50s and 60s, and the cottonwoods turn gold along Sheep Creek. Trout fishing picks up as water temperatures cool, boat traffic thins out after Labor Day, and wildlife viewing improves. The campground operates May through September, with pleasant temperatures ranging from morning lows around 31°F to afternoon highs near 65°F. Winter brings heavy snow and freezing temps that close the area to all but serious cold-weather campers.
Early fall is 'sweet spot': cottonwoods turn gold and kokanee salmon spawning enhances appeal.
Carmel Campground provides a peaceful escape surrounded by beautiful trees and proximity to Sheep Creek. It offers 14 sites with picnic tables and fire rings, enabling visitors to enjoy evening gatherings under the stars. Vault toilets are available, but there are no showers or potable water on-site. Trash disposal is provided, maintaining simplicity in its amenities.
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